When Should You Fix a Lip Tie?
A frenulum is a small piece of tissue that connects your infant’s upper lip to the gums and palate. While all babies have a frenulum, it’s only problematic if the connection is excessively tight and limits movement in your child’s mouth, which can impact how they suck and latch and even inhibit their weight gain. In some cases, a lip tie can be corrected as early as birth, but it’s most often addressed in the first few months after baby is born. Symptoms of a lip tie include difficulty nursing, sucking on a pacifier, excessive gassiness after feedings, and slow or unsatisfactory weight gains. The condition goes undetected, especially in newborns, because the typical exam of an infant’s mouth doesn’t include a close inspection of the lip or the frenulum. A pediatrician, lactation specialist, or dentist at Hamilton Mountain Dental Group can diagnose a lip tie and determine if it’s affecting the nursing process or your infant’s ability to suck and swallow. If left untreated, a lip tie ca...